One dead in milk tanker crash

One person is dead after a milk tanker crash near Dargaville. Photo / File photo

A Fonterra milk tanker has crashed into a large drain near Dargaville this morning, killing the driver and spilling a load of milk.

According to the Northland fire service, the crash occurred on Tramline Road just after 9.30am.

Communications officer, Tania Matthews, said she had heard reports saying the driver was found outside the truck.

Milk is reportedly pouring out at one to two litres per minute, and 500 litres had leaked so far.

Ambulance staff were unable to say whether it was a male or female driver.

The truck is believed to have a capacity of 10,000 litres of milk.